Asked how the would judge the girls, Bass said without a hint of sarcasm: “You always can tell a girl’s soul through her eyes.”

Here are some interesting facts about this year’s winner Nia Sanchez.

#3: She’s a fighter on the stage and off

Nia Sanchez has a black belt in the Korean martial art of taekwondo — fourth degree. And she’s trained for some 12 years. She told judges when asked that women need to learn to defend themselves in light of sexual assault dangers.

#2: She’s the first ever winner from Nevada — and not even from Nevada.

Sanchez was born in Sacramento, California, then traveled to a few different states to live with her family before setting off on her own to travel as a model. She eventually settled in Las Vegas, where she won the state beauty title a year ago.